Education Options for a Newborn Nursery Nurse
Neonatal nurses are registered nurses who work exclusively with newborn babies, specifically those in their first 28 days of life. Relative to adult health, midwifery and other areas of nursing, neonatal nursing is a relatively new specialty. Various educational options, ranging from associate's degrees to graduate degrees are available to those interested in pursuing a career dedicated to the care of newborns. Completion of a nursing program can take two to four years or longer. Individuals interested in a neonatal nursing career should carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of each educational option.
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Associate's Degree
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An associate's degree is typically the minimum educational requirement for neonatal nurses and is usually acquired through programs offered by community and junior colleges. The curriculum, consisting of general education courses, core science courses and nursing courses, takes two to three years to complete. General education courses can include mathematics, English, humanities, social sciences, arts and physical education. Core science studies in human anatomy, physiology and microbiology prepare students for more specialized nursing courses. Students must obtain a grade of C or better in their prerequisite courses for admission to the nursing program. Once admitted, students take courses specific for each area of nursing, including pediatric nursing. According to Nurses for a Better Tomorrow, there are no special neonatal programs offered at either the associate's or bachelor's degree level, although some programs offer an elective course in neonatal nursing.
Higher Degrees
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Bachelor's degree programs in nursing are more extensive than associate degree programs and require completion of more coursework. They are offered by colleges and universities and take four years to complete. In addition to the courses required for obtaining an associate degree, bachelor's degree students must take significantly more science and liberal arts classes. Many registered neonatal nurses with associate degrees work toward a bachelor's degree through special RN-to-BSN programs. Accelerated master's degree programs are also available. They award both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree and take three to four years to complete.
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Experience
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Entry-level job requirements for neonatal nurses vary among institutions. Some facilities may require one year of prior adult health or medical surgical experience while other hospitals and medical centers may hire recent graduates from an accredited nursing school who have passed their state certification exam. In general, institutions use a list of practice skills to assess a neonatal nurse's abilities in using medications, performing math calculations, establishing and using intravenous lines, administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other knowledge necessary for neonatal care.
Considerations
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Neonatal nursing candidates should carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of each of their educational options. Although associate degree programs require less time and money to complete, nurses with an associate's degree may have limited advancement opportunities. An associate's degree, however qualifies a registered nurse for an entry-level position that may allow pursuit of a bachelor's or higher degree through the employer's tuition reimbursement program. Nurses who complete a bachelor's degree receive more education in areas such as communication, critical thinking, leadership and other skills necessary for administrative, consulting, research and teaching positions. Nurses with neonatal experience, generally two years, may want to consider attending graduate school to become a neonatal nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist.
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